Yes, at every stage of completion. CFA Level I passed signals commitment to the profession and analytical capability. CFA Charterholder status is a meaningful credential in buy-side, asset management, and corporate finance roles. On the sell-side (investment banking, M&A advisory), the CFA is less central but still viewed positively. Include your CFA progress in a dedicated certifications or education section, with the year of completion or the level currently in progress. Many hiring managers in finance see it as a proxy for rigour and self-discipline.
List deals as bullet points under the relevant role. Include the transaction type (M&A, LBO, IPO, debt raise), the deal value, the sector, and your specific contribution. Where client names are confidential, describe the sector and size instead: "sell-side M&A advisory on a €180M technology services business." Where you led the financial modeling, say so. Where you were one of five analysts, note your specific workstream. The clearest format is: deal type, value or sector, your role. Specificity is the difference between a finance CV that gets shortlisted and one that is passed over.
Lead with academic performance, relevant modules, and dissertation topic if finance-adjacent. Include any internship experience with as much deal or project detail as possible. Add a skills section listing technical tools you know, including Excel modeling (be specific: LBO, DCF, comparable company analysis), Bloomberg if you have access, and any financial databases. CFA Level I registered or passed is a strong addition for a graduate. Finance societies, investment clubs with managed portfolios, and case competitions are credible signals of early engagement with the field.
One page for 0 to 3 years of experience. Two pages for 3 to 10 years. Senior finance professionals with board roles, multiple transactions across asset classes, and a publications or speaking record may extend to two pages comfortably. The key rule in finance CVs is precision over coverage: a focused, well-edited two-pager is better than a sprawling three-pager. Investment banks in particular review CVs quickly; every section that does not contribute directly to your case for the role should be removed.
Financial modeling (specifically LBO, DCF, and comparable company analysis), Bloomberg Terminal, FactSet or Capital IQ, advanced Excel including pivot tables and VBA, and PowerPoint for pitch decks. On the soft skills side, finance hiring managers particularly value attention to detail (errors in financial models have real consequences), communication with non-finance audiences, and the ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously. For senior roles, client relationship management and origination capability become the primary differentiators.